Spatial variation influence of landscape patterns on surface water quality across an urbanized watershed in Mosul city, Iraq

This study investigates the impact of land cover patterns on surface water quality in the Tigris River basin, Mosul City, Iraq. While existing research has established the relationship between land use and water quality, this study enhances the understanding of this relationship by integrating GIS and landscape metrics to provide a comprehensive spatial analysis across different land use types. Utilizing multivariate statistical methods, spatial analysis, and landscape metrics, the significant influence of urbanization and agricultural practices on water quality is elucidated. The results illustrate that water quality is strongly linked with both land use composition and configuration. Regression analysis and correlations showed that residential areas strongly contributed to organic load in river water. Water quality deterioration is increasingly probable when the watershed exhibits high interspersion and scattering of diverse land uses, and a presence of multiple varied land uses. Landscape metrics were strongly linked to river water quality, predicting multiple variables in both seasons. Factor analysis indicated an increasing amount of organic content, and specified pollution sources along the river. The absence of buffer zones is exacerbating the impact of pollution as they minimize rainfall variability and filter nutrients. By demonstrating the predictive capacity of landscape metrics for water quality variables, this study provides actionable insights for water management authorities. Implementing targeted pollution control and informed land use policies could mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization and agricultural activities on the Tigris River’s water quality.